By Deb Kroon
Review Staff Writer
There will be some big changes at the Elementary school for the 2019-2020 school year. At the school board meeting in January, 2019, Superintendant Roger Graff presented a staff resignation/retirement from Russell Lofthus as Elementary Principal effective June 30, 2019. His resignation was accepted by the board. At a special school board meeting on February 5, 2019, the board made the announcement to appoint Randy Schettler as Elementary Dean of Students.
Russ Lofthus has spent the last 21 years of his life in the position of Principal at Adrian Elementary School. Mr. Lofthus began his career in education as an elementary teacher in the Balaton, MN school district. After completing his degree in administration (early childhood – 5th grade), he spent two years as principal in Lynd, MN and one year in Fulda, MN before coming to Adrian. “I was fortunate,” Russ said. “LeRoy Domagala, (Distric #511 superintendent before Roger Graff) hired me as a teacher in Balaton and when the position for the Elementary Principal opened up here in Adrian, he gave me the opportunity to fill the position. Mr. Domagala and I got along great,” Mr. Lofthus continued, “he gave me great advice over the years we worked together, I was also fortunate to come to Adrian just as the new elementary project was beginning, so I was privileged to be included in the process.”
“I am so thankful for all of the great support I’ve received over my years here. The school boards I have worked with have been very supportive of the administration and the teachers, and have wanted only the best for the school district. I feel it is so important for all of the people involved in the education process in a district, to be vested in both the school and the community in order to do a good job. It takes all of the teachers, PERAs, staff, school board and parents to make a school district great. I am so thankful to have had great people to work with.”
“I want to be sure my colleagues know how thankful I am for the wonderful support they’ve shown me. I am so fortunate. Working in the Adrian school system has been one of the great pleasures of my life. I am just going to enjoy my time left.”
Mr. Lofthus officially retires June 30, 2019. “I really need to thank my wife and family, who have been so supportive of me and have always been there for me. I am looking forward to more time with them.” Russ plans on spending more time with his grandchildren, and with his brother on the family farm in North Dakota. “I am looking forward to having the flexibility to go back to the homeland and spend some time,” he commented. “I plan on doing some substitute teaching, but I will be able to be more flexible. I really would like to do some work helping others – like with the Red Cross or some other organization, especially during disasters. I think helping out others would be very fulfilling.”
We talked about the transition period with Randy Schettler, who will be stepping into Russ’ place. “Randy will do a great job,” Russ said. “He’s really vested in his kids, the school and the community. It’s really a good perk for both of us, that we will be able to talk through the transition. I think the school board made a great decision hiring Randy.”
“I have loved my time here in the Adrian Elementary School. Again I thank all of my staff, the teachers, PERAs, administrators, school board members and the great families I’ve had the privilege to work with. I have been so fortunate.”
Randy Schettler will be stepping into the position of Dean of Students at AES officially on July 1, 2019. Randy and his wife Trina, along with sons Cael age 8, Keaton age 6, Kannen age 3 live in Adrian where Randy has taught for 16 years. Randy’s daughter Brooke age 24, lives in Leota. “I have a lot to learn,” said Randy. “Right now the elementary school is doing well. Mr. Lofthus has done a great job and he has a great support staff. My kids never balk at having to go to school and they never complain when they get home. That is a credit to the administration, teachers and all of the adults at AES.
Randy continued, discussing his transition from teacher to administration, “I’ve been taking classes to move to an administrative position. In February, I completed the first year of my Master’s program, a 53 week course that allowed me to be a viable candidate for Dean of Students. I plan to finish my schooling to become a principal taking one class at a time. I will be traveling to SMSU one weekend a month to finish up the degree. This way I can still spend time with my family and keep up all of my responsibilities to the Adrian school system.
Randy will be making a move from the High School to the Elementary School. He will no longer be teaching when he assumes the position of Dean, but will continue as the head football coach and as the Junior High baseball coach. “It’s been a tough decision,” he explained. “I am giving up coaching wrestling. When is the right time is the question I keep asking myself. There are always students leaving the program and new ones entering. I guess this is as good a time as any. It really was a tough decision.”
Congratulations and good luck to Randy Schettler as he takes on a new role in his education career!
The best of wishes and good luck to Mr. Lofthus as he begins a new chapter in his life. We hope he really enjoys his retirement!
